Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Stranding Location: Mitchellville Beach, Hilton Head, Beaufort, SC

Arrival Date: 11/07/2018

Age: juvenile

Weight: 11.7 kg (25.8 pounds)

Case History

Madam Poppy Pomfrey was found on Mitchellville Beach by Hilton Head Island lifeguard, Jerry Staub. Jerry contacted the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and volunteer, Amber Kuehn, responded to the call. Amber transferred Poppy to her car and drove her halfway to the South Carolina Aquarium where SCDNR Staff, Kacie Ferguson met her. Kacie then transferred Poppy to her car and drove to the Aquarium where Sea Turtle Care Center staff and the vet staff quickly treated her.

Treatment

Upon admit, Poppy had severe fibropapilloma tumors and leeches covering her flippers. Fibropopillomatosis (FP) is a disease that affects sea turtles. FP is thought to be caused by a herpes virus and can be transferred between sea turtles. Most commonly, FP affects green sea turtles, but it has also been seen in all other species, except the Leatherback. Turtles with FP have tumors externally and occasionally internally as well. The tumors can grow so large they can limit the turtle’s ability to swim and feed. FP tumors can even affect their sight. With the placement of Poppy’s tumors it is likely they affected her ability to swim, causing her to strand on the beach. It was important to get a CT of Poppy before going further with her triage. If internal tumors are present, the prognosis is poor. The CT showed no internal tumors so the vet team continued with her triage. Her bloodwork was poor, likely because of the tumors, so the vet team treated Poppy with vitamins, antibiotics and fluids. After receiving her fluids and vitamins, Poppy was set up on a waterbed to relax for the rest of the night.

Updates

November 13, 2018: The following day, Poppy was moved into a tank with low water. The water was partial freshwater to help remove the leech eggs and leeches. Since Poppy has a disease that can be transferred to other turtles, it is important to keep her separate from our other patients to ensure no cross contamination. The first day she was offered food, and she ate! She is receiving vitamins and antibiotics every couple of days to help with her poor bloodwork. Once her bloodwork becomes stable, vet staff will start to plan her surgeries to remove the tumors. Poppy has a long road ahead of her, but she seems to be enjoying her new, temporary home.

December 1, 2018: Poppy has been doing well! About a week after her admit she passed a piece of sheet plastic. This makes Poppy our 23rd patient to have passed marine debris in 18 years. We’re still examining her fecal closely to monitor for more plastic. Poppy has begun to regularly eat and defecate which is a huge step for her! She loves her tank in the Sea Turtle Care Center.